Alicia:

Thanks for your input re: acyclovir.  Actually my post was more out of
curiosity that for decision-making.  The patient is me and I am aware of the
concerns regarding post herpetic neuralgia.  My dermatologist (not bfing
aware by any stretch) is into the "experimental" so I just needed to put the
brakes on the newer meds.  I did want to comment on the age issue and pain:
I am thirtysomething (younger end) and have done some unintentional
experimenting with this bout of shingles.  After 5 doses of the acyclovir I
experienced a great deal of relief with the pain and itch, and at this point
I also had a nasty!! bout of nausea/vomiting lasting through a 24 hr period.
I missed the next 7 doses of the acyclovir - couldn't keep it down if I
tried.  By the time I resumed taking it, the shingles (which were improving
prior to the "flu") were worse than ever - pain unbearable at times.  Upon
resuming the treatment and now 4 more days into it, the pain and itch are
very much under control.  I am wondering how miserable I would be if not
taking the acyclovir...  Please know that I am loath to take even a mere
tylenol.  I am a chicken soup, cool wash cloth kind of a gal!  BTW my
nursing toddler is no worse for the wear through this whole thing, thank God!

My derm and her gang did suggest I wean through this whole thing - "Never
know what effect this could have on him..."  I passed on Lawrence's info on
herpetic lesions, assured her that I was a scrupulous handwasher (come on,
I'm a nurse!!), shared Dr. Hale's post from last week (THANKS), and just
said NO!!  She said "It was just a suggestion..."  All the recent posts
regarding parents empowerment, or lack of, really sets my blood boiling.
Any of us who have ever climbed over the fence know how tough it is.  There
we are armed with our tons of knowledge, sources, etc... and it is still a
trial!  Some of my greatest trials as a hospital-based LC were regarding who
"owns" the baby.  The staff vs. the mom kind of a thing.  Maybe we need to
weave these issues into our teaching situations - staff inservices as well
as parenting classes.  I recall a post about someone's class who is doing
just that - yeah!  My first comments to the parents in my class are along
the lines of "No one knows your baby better than you...you have spent the
last 7+ months growing him or her...etc..."  This carries over to the
birthing process and beyond.  I don't bash the medical side though.  I
explain that medicine knows the general, the researched - health care
providers are to guide and assist and treat if necessary, BUT mom & dad are
an integral part of that process - because they know their individual baby
best!  When they feel that the health care team does not view them as such,
that should be a red flag.

I guess what it all boils down to is some simple respect - we need more!

One thing I can proudly say is those I know in the lactation field really
seem to embrace this respect!

Debbie Shinskie RN CES IBCLC
private practice/home health/education